Utility distribution system for open office plans and the like

ABSTRACT

A utility distribution system is provided for open office plans and other similar settings, and includes a prefabricated floor construction designed to be supported directly on a building floor. The floor construction has a hollow interior which defines at least one raceway to route utility conduits therethrough, and a floor surface on which workstations can be positioned. The utility distribution system also includes at least one utility post having a foot which mounts to the floor construction to support the utility post in a generally upstanding orientation. The foot portion of the utility post has an open area disposed above and communicating with the floor raceway. At least one utility outlet is mounted on the utility post, and is adapted to dispense a selected utility therefrom. The utility post has at least one utility channel in which utility conduits can be routed, and includes an outwardly oriented open face. The utility channel extends continuously between and communicates with the utility outlet and the open area of the foot, such that utilities can be readily provided to the workstations by pulling selected utility conduits from the floor raceway, through the open area of the foot portion of an adjacent utility post, and then laying the selected utility conduits into the utility channel portion of the utility post by insertion into the open face thereof to a location adjacent the utility outlet for connection therewith.

This is a divisional of co-pending application Ser. No. 08/063,463,filed on May 18, 1993.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED PATENTS

The present application is related to commonly assigned, U.S. Pat. No.5,483,776, entitled UTILITY FLOOR CONSTRUCTION, U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,348,entitled FURNITURE SYSTEM, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,341, entitled DYNAMICWORKSPACE MODULE, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the distribution of utilities in openoffice plans and the like, and in particular to a prefabricated floorconstruction and utility post arrangement.

Modern offices are becoming increasingly complicated and sophisticateddue largely to the ever increasing needs of the users for improvedutilities support at each workstation, such as communications, computersand other types of data processors, electronic displays, etc., includingphysical accommodations, such as lighting, HVAC, security, and the like.For example, modern offices for highly skilled "knowledge workers" suchas engineers, accountants, stock brokers, computer programmers, etc.,are typically provided with multiple pieces of very specialized computerand communications equipment that are capable of processing informationfrom numerous local and remote data resources to assist in solvingincredibly complex problems. Such equipment has very stringent power andsignal requirements, and must quickly and efficiently interface withrelated equipment at both adjacent and remote locations. Work areas withreadily controllable lighting, HVAC, sound masking, and other physicalsupport systems, are also highly desirable to maximize worker creativityand productivity. Many other types of high technology equipment andfacilities are also presently being developed which will find theirplace in the workplaces of the future.

One important consequence of the advent of sophisticated electronicoffices is the increased need and desirability for distributingutilities throughout the various offices in a manner which can bereadily reconfigured. The term "utilities" as used herein incorporates awide variety of facilities for use at a workstation, including securitydevices, electrical power, signal and/or communications, HVAC, water andother fluids, and other similar resources. The ability to provide theworker with ready access to all of these utilities is clearlyadvantageous in the quest to promote worker well being andeffectiveness.

The efficient use of building floor space is also an ever growingconcern, particularly as building costs continue to escalate. Openoffice plans have been developed to reduce overall officing costs, andgenerally incorporate large, open floor spaces in buildings that areequipped with modular furniture systems which are readily reconfigurableto accommodate the ever changing needs of a specific user, as well asthe divergent requirements of different tenants. One arrangementcommonly used for furnishing open plans includes movable partitionpanels that are detachably interconnected to partition off the openspaces into individual workstation and/or offices. Such partition panelsare configured to receive hang-on furniture units, such as worksurfaces,overhead cabinets, shelves, etc., and are generally known in the officefurniture industry as "systems furniture". Another arrangement fordividing and/or partitioning open plans includes modular furniturearrangements, in which a plurality of differently shaped, freestandingfurniture units are positioned in a side-by-side relationship, withupstanding privacy screens attached to at least some of the furnitureunits to create individual, distinct workstations and/or offices. Bothof these types of modular furniture systems, as well as others, havebeen widely received due largely to their ability to be readilyreconfigured and/or moved to a new site, since they are not part of apermanent leasehold improvement.

In order to gain increased efficiency in the use of expensive officereal estate, attempts are now being made to try to support high paidknowledge workers with these types of modular furniture systems in openoffice settings, instead of conventional private offices. However, inorder to insure peak efficiency of such knowledge workers, theworkstations must be equipped with the various state-of-the-artutilities and facilities discussed above. Since such workstations mustbe readily reconfigurable to effectively meet the ever changing needs ofthe user, the distribution and control of utilities throughout acomprehensive open office plan has emerged as a major challenge to theoffice furniture industry.

At present, some types of modular furniture systems, such as selectedportable partition panels and freestanding furniture units can beequipped with an optional powerway, which extends along the entire widthof the unit, and has quick-disconnect connectors adjacent opposite endsthereof to connect with adjacent, like powerways, and thereby provideelectrical power to an associated furniture group or cluster. Outletreceptacles are provided along each powerway into which electricalappliances can be plugged. Cable troughs or channels are also providedin most such furniture units, so as to form a system of interconnectedraceways into which signal and communications wires can be routed. Suchcabling is normally routed through the furniture system after thefurniture units are installed, and is then hard wired at each of thedesired outlets. While this type of distribution system has provensomewhat effective, the types of utilities provided are rather limited,and their distribution is not wholly modular, thereby resulting inhigher installation and reconfiguration costs. The inherent nature ofmodular furniture systems, which permits them to be readily reconfiguredinto different arrangements, makes it very difficult to achieve adequateutility distribution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a utility distributionsystem for open office plans and other similar environments. The utilitydistribution system includes a prefabricated floor construction designedto be supported on a building floor, and having a hollow interiorportion that defines at least one raceway to route utility conduitstherethrough, and a floor surface on which workstations may bepositioned. The distribution system also includes at least one utilitypost having a foot which mounts to the floor construction to support thesame in a generally upstanding orientation. The foot portion of theutility post has an open area disposed above and communicating with thefloor raceway. At least one utility outlet is mounted on the utilitypost, and is adapted to dispense a selected utility therefrom. Theutility post also has at least one utility channel in which utilityconduits can be routed, and includes an outwardly oriented open face.The utility channel extends continuously between and communicates withthe utility outlet and the open area of the foot, such that utilitiescan be readily provided to the workstations by pulling selected utilityconduits from the floor raceway, through the open area of the footportion of the utility post, and laying them into the utility channel ofthe utility post by insertion into the open face thereof to a locationadjacent the utility outlet for connection therewith.

Another aspect of the present invention is a utility floor construction,comprising a plurality of floor base members or pans supported on afloor surface in a mutually adjacent, lattice-like arrangement. Each ofthe floor pans has a generally U-shaped configuration and a base whichdefines at least a portion of a primary raceway that extends generallycontinuously throughout the floor construction. A plurality of rigidcover plates are supported on the floor pans in a mutually adjacentarrangement to generally enclose the primary raceway, and define acontinuous floor surface thereover. A plurality of connector bridgesextend between adjacent ones of the floor pans, and are attached theretoto physically interconnect the same. The connector bridges each includea separator plate that is positioned a spaced apart distance above thebases of the adjacent floor pans to form thereunder a lower connectorraceway, which in combination with the primary raceway, defines a firstutility raceway adapted to receive and retain a first utility therein.The separator plate is disposed a spaced apart distance below theoverlying covering plates to form thereover an upper connector racewayoriented generally perpendicular to the lower connector raceway, whichin combination with the primary raceway, defines a second utilityraceway adapted to receive and retain a second utility therein. In thisfashion, the first and second utilities can be routed through the floorconstruction, while being physically separated from one another.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide a utilitydistribution system for open office plans, and other similarenvironments. The utility distribution system includes a prefabricatedfloor construction which is adapted to route multiple utilitiestherethrough, and is also capable of separating at least two differenttypes of utilities to avoid interference between the same. Utility postsare mounted on the floor construction, and serve to distribute variousutilities to workstations positioned on the floor construction. Thepresent utility distribution system is very versatile, adaptable,efficient in use, capable of a long operating life, and particularlywell adapted for the proposed use.

These and other advantages of the invention will be further understoodand appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to thefollowing written specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a utility distributionsystem embodying the present invention, comprising a prefabricated floorconstruction, and associated utility posts.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the floor construction andone of the utility posts, wherein cover plate portions of the floorconstruction have been removed to reveal internal construction.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the utility distributionsystem.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an X-shaped floor pan portion of thefloor construction.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the X-shaped floor pan.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the X-shaped floor pan.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a T-shaped floor pan portion of thefloor construction.

FIG. 8 is front elevational view of the T-shaped floor pan.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the T-shaped floor pan.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the T-shaped floor pan.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an L-shaped floor pan portion of thefloor construction.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the L-shaped floor pan.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the L-shaped floor pan.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a diagonal floor pan portion of thefloor construction.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the diagonal floor pan.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the diagonal floor pan.

FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of the diagonal floor pan.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a connector bridge portion of the floorconstruction.

FIG. 19 is a front elevational view of the connector bridge.

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the connector bridge.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the connector bridge, taken alongthe line XXI--XXI, FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the connector bridge, taken alongthe line XXII--XXII, FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 is a top plan view of a pair of X-shaped floor pans positionedadjacent one another prior to interconnection.

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the X-shaped floor pansshown in FIG. 23, with a connector bridge positioned thereover forinterconnecting the same.

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the X-shaped connectorpans shown in FIG. 23, wherein the connector bridge is positionedbridging the same prior to attachment.

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the X-shaped connectorpans shown in FIG. 23, wherein the connector bridge is attached thereto,and wires are routed through associated raceways.

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary, top plan view of a plurality of differenttypes of floor pans interconnected by associated bridges prior torouting cabling therethrough.

FIG. 28 is a top plan view of a cover plate portion of the floorconstruction.

FIG. 29 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of an X-shaped floor panwith an associated cover plate positioned thereover prior to attachment.

FIG. 30 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the X-shaped floor panand cover plate shown in FIG. 29, wherein the cover plate is fastened tothe floor pan, and wires are routed through raceways formed therein.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the floor construction shown inFIG. 30, taken along the line XXXI--XXXI, FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a front elevational view of the utility post.

FIG. 33 is a side elevational view of the utility post.

FIG. 34 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the utility post, takenalong the line XXXIV--XXXIV, FIG. 32.

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the utility post, taken along theline XXXV--XXXV, FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is a partially schematic, fragmentary cross-sectional view ofthe floor construction with a utility post mounted thereon.

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of the utility post shown in FIG. 36,taken along the line XXXVII--XXXVII, FIG. 36.

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of the utility post shown in FIG. 36,taken along the line XXXVIII--XXXVIII, FIG. 36.

FIG. 39 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the floor construction with autility post mounted thereon, with utility conduits being routedtherethrough.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper", "lower", "right","left", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal", and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIGS. 1 and 2.However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume variousalternative orientations and step sequences, except where expresslyspecified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specificdevices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, anddescribed in the following specification are simply exemplaryembodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims.Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relatingto the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered aslimiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The reference numeral 1 (FIG. 1) generally designates a utilitydistribution system embodying the present invention, which isparticularly designed for use in open office plans, and other similarsettings and environments. In the illustrated example, utilitydistribution system 1 includes a prefabricated floor construction 2configured to be supported on a building floor 3. Floor construction 2has a hollow interior arrangement that defines raceways 4 and 5 to routeutility conduits 7 and 8 therethrough, and a floor surface 6 on whichworkstations may be positioned. It is to be understood that the term"utility conduit" as used herein contemplates various devices andarrangements for transmitting utilities between two points, such as airducts, fluid pipes, electrical wires, fiber optic cables, and the like.The illustrated distribution system 1 also includes at least one utilitypost 9 having a foot portion 10 which mounts to floor construction 2 tosupport utility post 9 in a generally upstanding orientation. The footportion 10 of utility post 9 has an open area 11 (FIG. 2) disposed aboveand communicating with at least one of the floor raceways 4 and 5. Atleast one utility outlet 12 is mounted on utility post 9, and is adaptedto dispense selected utility therefrom, such as electrical power,communication signals, HVAC, condition water, etc. Utility post 9 hasutility channels 13-16, each having an outwardly oriented open face 17,and being shaped so that one or more of the utility conduits 7 or 8 canbe routed therein. Each one of the utility channels 13-16 extendscontinuously between and communicates with an associated utility outlet12 and an associated open area 11 of utility post foot 10, such thatutilities can be readily provided to the workstations by simply pullingselected utility conduits 7 and 8 from floor raceways 4 and 5, throughthe open areas 11 in the foot portion 10 of an adjacent utility post 9,and then laying them into the utility channels 13-16 of utility post 9by insertion into the open faces 17 thereof to a location adjacent theutility outlets 12 for connection therewith.

In the illustrated example, floor construction 2 (FIG. 3) is aprefabricated assembly that is designed to be supported directly on topa conventional building floor. Floor construction 2 includes a pluralityof floor base members or pans 24-27, which are abuttingly supported ofthe floor surface 6 in a mutually adjacent, lattice-like arrangement.Each of the floor pans 24-27 has a generally U-shaped configuration,with a base that defines at least a portion of the raceway 4 extendinggenerally continuously throughout floor construction 2. Rigid coverplates 28 are supported on floor pans 24-27 in a mutually adjacentarrangement to generally enclose raceway 4, and define the continuousfloor surface 6 thereover. A plurality of connector bridges 29 extendbetween adjacent floor pans 24-27, and are attached thereto tophysically interconnect the same. Connector bridges 29 each include aseparator plate 30 (FIGS. 25 & 26) positioned a spaced apart distanceabove the bases of the adjacent floor pans 24-27 to form thereunder alower connector raceway 31, which in combination with raceway 4, isadapted to receive a first type of utility therein, such as powerconduits 7. The separator plate 30 of connector bridge 29 is positioneda spaced apart distance below the overlying cover plates 28 (FIGS. 30 &31) to form thereover an upper connector raceway 32, oriented generallyperpendicular to the lower connector raceway 31, which in combinationwith raceway 5 is adapted to receive and retain a second utilitytherein, such as communication or signal conduits 8. In this fashion,the power conduits 7 and signal conduits 8 can be routed through floorconstruction 2, while being physically separated from one another, so asto avoid both physical and/or functional interference between the same.It is to be understood that floor pans 24-27 may take a variety ofdifferent shapes and configurations, and in the examples illustratedherein, floor construction 2 includes an X-shaped floor pan 24, aT-shaped floor pan 25, an L-shaped floor pan 26, and a diagonal floorpan 27, all of which are mutually interconnected by connector bridges29, and enclosed by cover plates 28, as discussed in greater detailhereinafter.

With reference to FIGS. 4-6, the illustrated X-shaped floor pan 24 isrigid, and has a generally U-shaped vertical cross-sectionalconfiguration, comprising an X-shaped base 36, and four pairs ofupstanding sidewalls 37. X-shaped floor pan 24 has four raised pedestals38 positioned adjacent each exterior corner of pan base 36, which areconfigured to support cover plates 28 therein. Each pedestal 38 has agenerally hexagonal top plan configuration, with six sidewalls 39, andan upper pad 40 with four fastener apertures 41 therethrough arranged ina square pattern. Each pair of upstanding pan sidewalls 37 associatedwith X-shaped floor pan 24 has an angle flange 42 along its upper edge43, which angle flange 42 extends downwardly therefrom at an angle ofapproximately 45 degrees. Each angled flange 42 has a perpendicularlyoriented fastener aperture 44 therethrough for attaching an associatedconnector bridge 29. The upper edge 43 of each pair of pan sidewalls 37is positioned at a preselected distance below the upper pad 40 of theassociated raised pedestal 38 to accommodate the mounting of a connectorbridge 29 on angle flanges 42, and thereby separating or dividing theinterior space of X-shaped floor pan 24 between lower connector raceway31, and upper connector raceway 32, as described in greater detailbelow. In the illustrated example, the upper edges 43 of each pair offloor pan sidewalls 37 are positioned at around the vertical midpoint ofthe associated raised pedestal 38.

With reference to FIGS. 7-10, the illustrated T-shaped floor pan 25 isrigid, and has a generally U-shaped vertical cross-sectionalconfiguration, comprising a T-shaped base 48, and three pairs ofupstanding sidewalls 49. T-shaped floor pan 25 has two raised pedestals50 positioned adjacent the interior facing corners of pan base 48, whichare configured to support cover plates 28 thereon. Each pedestal 50 hasa generally hexagonal top plan configuration, with six sidewalls 51, andan upper pad 52 with four fastener apertures 53 therethrough arranged ina square pattern. Each pair of upstanding pan sidewalls 49 associatedwith T-shaped floor pan 25 has an angle flange 54 along its upper edge55, wherein angle flange 54 extends downwardly therefrom at an angle ofapproximately 45 degrees. Each angle flange 54 has a perpendicularlyoriented fastener aperture 56 therethrough for attaching an associatedconnector bridge 29. The upper edge 55 of each pair of pan sidewalls 49is positioned a preselected distance below the upper pad 52 of theassociated raised pedestal 50 to accommodate the mounting of connectorbridge 29 on angle flanges 54, and thereby separating or dividing theinterior space in T-shaped floor pan 25 between lower connector raceway31, and upper connector raceway 32, as described in greater detailbelow. In the illustrated example, the upper edges 55 of each pair offloor pan sidewalls 49 are positioned at around the vertical midpoint ofthe associated raised pedestal 50. A raised support channel 57 extendsalong the exterior edge of pan base 48, and includes a sidewall 58, endwalls 59, and an upper flange 60 positioned generally level with theupper pads 52 of pedestals 50. The upper flange 60 of support channel 57is shaped to support cover plates 28 thereon, and includes fourperpendicularly oriented fastener apertures 61 therethrough tofacilitate connection with cover plates 28.

With reference to FIGS. 11-13, the illustrated L-shaped floor pan 26 isrigid, and has a general U-shaped vertical cross-sectionalconfiguration, comprising an L-shaped base 65, and two pairs ofupstanding sidewalls 66. L-shaped floor pan 26 has one raised pedestal67 positioned adjacent the interior facing corner of pan base 65, and isconfigured to support cover plates 28 thereon. Pedestal 67 has agenerally hexagonal top plan configuration, with six sidewalls 68, andan upper pad 69 with four perpendicularly oriented fastener apertures 70therethrough arranged in a square pattern. Each pair of upstanding pansidewalls 66 associated with L-shaped floor pan 26 has an angle flange71 extending along its upper edge 72, wherein angle flange 71 extendsdownwardly therefrom at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Each angleflange 71 has a perpendicularly oriented fastener aperture 73therethrough for attaching an associated connector bridge 29. The upperedge 72 of each pan sidewall 66 is positioned a preselected distancebelow the upper pad 69 of raised pedestal 69 to accommodate the mountingof a connector bridge 29 on angle flanges 71, and thereby separating ordividing the interior space of L-shaped floor pan 26 between lowerconnector raceway 31, and upper connector raceway 32, as described ingreater detail below. In the illustrated example, the upper edges 72 offloor pan sidewalls 66 are positioned at around the vertical midpoint ofraised pedestal 67. A pair of raised support channels 74 and 75 extendalong the exterior facing side edges of pan base 65, and each includes asidewall 76, endwalls 77, and an upper flange 78 positioned generallylevel with the upper pad 69 of pedestal 67. The upper flange 78 of eachsupport channel 74 and 75 is shaped to support cover plates 28 thereon,and includes perpendicularly oriented fastener apertures 79 tofacilitate detachable connection with cover plates 28.

With reference to FIGS. 14-17, the illustrated diagonal floor panel 27is rigid, and has a generally U-shaped vertical cross-sectionalconfiguration, comprising a W-shaped base 84, and two pairs ofupstanding sidewalls 85. Diagonal floor pan 27 has one raised pedestal86 positioned adjacent the interior facing corner of pan base 84, and isconfigured to support cover plates 28 thereon. Pedestal 86 has agenerally hexagonal top plan configuration, with six sidewalls 87, andupper pad 88 with four perpendicularly oriented fastener apertures 89therethrough arranged in a square pattern. Each pair of upstanding pansidewalls 85 associated with diagonal floor pan 27 has an angle flange90 along its upper edge 91, wherein angle flange 90 extends downwardlytherefrom at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Each angle flange 90has a perpendicularly oriented fastener aperture 92 therethrough forattaching an associated connector bridge 29. The upper edge 91 of bothpairs of pan sidewalls 85 is positioned a preselected distance below theupper pad 88 of pedestal 86 to accommodate the mounting of a connectorbridge 29 on angle flanges 90, and thereby separating or dividing theinterior space of diagonal floor pan 27 between lower connector raceway31, and upper connector raceway 32, as described in greater detailbelow. In the illustrated example, the upper edges 91 of both pairs offloor pan sidewalls 85 are positioned at around the vertical midpoint ofraised pedestal 86. A raised support channel 93 extends along theexterior facing side edge of pan base 84, and includes a sidewall 94,endwalls 95, and an upper flange 96 positioned generally level with theupper pad 88 of pedestal 86. The upper flange 96 of support channel 93is shaped to support cover plates 28 thereon, and includesperpendicularly oriented fastener apertures 97 to facilitate thedetachably connection of cover plates 28.

Floor pans 24-27 may be constructed from formed sheet metal, moldedplastic, and other similar arrangements, and are preferably capable ofeffectively isolating various electrical wires, such as power conduits.7 and signal conduits 8 from one another. Although floor pans 24-27 arerigid to securely support cover plates 28 thereon, due to their modularconstruction, they will generally conform to an existing building floorsurface 6, even when the same is not precisely level.

With reference to FIGS. 18-22, the illustrated connector bridge 29 isrigid, and has a generally U-shaped vertical cross-sectionalconfiguration, comprising a flat or planar separator plate 30, having apair of side flanges 102 depending from one pair of opposite side edgesof plate 30, and a pair of upper flanges 103 upstanding from theopposite pair of side edges of plate 30. Side flanges 102 are orientedat an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to separator plate30, extend generally continuously therealong, and each includes a pairof perpendicularly oriented fastener apertures 104 therethrough tofacilitate connection with floor pans 24-27. Upper flanges 103 areoriented substantially perpendicular with respect to separator plate 30,and extend generally continuously along the side edges thereof. Likefloor pans 24-27, connector bridge 29 may be constructed from formedsheet metal, molded plastic, or other similar arrangements, and ispreferably capable of effectively isolating various electrical wires,such as power conduits 7 and signal conduits 8 from one another.

With reference to FIGS. 23-27, floor construction 2 is assembled in thefollowing manner. Floor pans 24-27 are selected and arranged on thebuilding floor surface 6 in the desired configuration, such as thearrangements shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. T-shaped floor pans 25 aregenerally arranged about the periphery or marginal portion of the floorconstruction 2, while L-shaped floor pans 26 are typically positioned ateach right angle corner thereof. Diagonal floor pans 27 may bepositioned about the marginal portion of a floor construction 2 whichhas one side disposed at a 45 degree angle with respect to the remainingsides. X-shaped floor pans 25 are typically positioned interior of themarginal portion of floor construction 2. Floor construction 2 can bearranged so that it covers the entire expanse of building floor 3, orcan be configured to cover only selected areas thereof, so as to provideone or more utility pads that are located strategically throughout theopen plan.

In all such embodiments, floor pans 24-27 (FIGS. 23-27) are arranged onbuilding floor 3, such that the end edges of their associated bases arepositioned adjacent one another in the manner illustrated in FIG. 23.Connector bridges 29 are then positioned over the joint formed betweenadjacent floor pans 24-27 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 24-25. Ateach joint, the side flanges 102 of connector bridge 29 are positionedin abutment with the angle flanges of associated pan sidewalls, such asthe angle flanges 42 of the X-shaped pan sidewalls 37 shown in FIGS.24-26. Fasteners 108 are then inserted through the apertures 104 ofconnector bridge 29 and into the underlying apertures 44 in angleflanges 42, so as to securely interconnect adjacent floor pans 24-27 intheir selected orientation, as illustrated in FIG. 27.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 25 & 26, the attachment of a connectorbridge 29 to two adjacent floor pans 24-27 not only physicallyinterconnects the same, but also assists in defining connector portionsof the two utility raceways 4 and 5, which extend throughout floorconstruction 2. For example, when the two X-shaped floor pans 24 shownin FIG. 23 are interconnected by a connector bridge 29, as shown in FIG.26, the interconnected leg portions 105 of pan bases 36 are enclosed byseparator plate 30, such that pan base 36, pan sidewalls 37 and bridgeseparator plate 30 combine to create a fully enclosed raceway which isidentified herein as lower connector raceway 31. Lower connector raceway31 communicates directly with utility raceway 4, which is formed by theinterior areas of the remaining floor pans 24-27. Connector bridge 29also forms a portion of upper connector raceway 32, which is disposeddirectly above lower connector raceway 31, and is oriented perpendiculartherewith. The upper connector raceway 32 is also fully enclosed afterfloor construction 2 is installed, and is defined by bridge separatorplate 30, opposite bridge flanges 103, and cover plate 28. Upperconnector raceway 32 communicates directly with utility raceway 5, whichis formed by that space disposed beneath cover plates 28, and exteriorto floor pans 24-27. In the illustrated example, utility raceway 4 isparticularly designed to route electrical power conduits 7 through floorconstruction 2, while utility raceway 5 is particularly designed toroute data and/or communication cables through floor construction 2.

After the selected floor pans 24-27 are interconnected by connectorbridges 29 in the manner shown in FIGS. 23-27, and before assembly ofcover plates 28, an initial utility installation may be made in floorconstruction 2. In the illustrated example, electrical power conduits 7and signal cables 8 are installed in utility raceways 4 and 5respectively in a fashion designed to provide utilities to each plannedworkstation, or in a predetermined plan which routes the utilities toeach possible workstation location. In the floor construction shown inFIGS. 1-3, signal cables 8 can be simply laid in position in raceway 5by routing them over that portion of the building floor disposed betweenadjacent floor pans 24-27, and over the separator plates 30 of selectedconnector bridges 29, through upper connector raceways 32, in a somewhatzigzag pattern. Electrical power conduits 7 are routed through raceway 4by laying the same into the interior of floor pans 24-27, and threadingthe wires under the separator plates 30 of selected connector bridges,through lower connector raceways 31, in a checkerboard pattern. It is tobe noted that in some installations, it may be possible to lay powerconduits 7 in floor pans 24-27 before connector bridges 29 are attached,so as to avoid threading the wires through lower connector raceways 31.

With references to FIGS. 28-31, each of the illustrated cover plates 28comprises a rigid base plate 112 having a substantially square top planconfiguration, with four perpendicularly oriented fastener apertures 113extending therethrough adjacent each corner of base plate 112. Each baseplate 112 includes opposite side edges 114-117, and planar, mutuallyparallel upper and lower surfaces 118 & 119 respectively. In the exampleillustrated in FIG. 28, a segment of carpet 120, or other similar floorcovering is adhered to the upper surface 118 of base plate 112. Baseplate 112 may be constructed of sheet metal, plastic, or other similarmaterials which are capable of supporting substantial weight thereonwithout sagging.

Cover plates 28 are assembled over the selected floor pans 24-27 tofully enclose floor construction 2, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Coverplates 28 are juxtaposed side-by-side on floor pans 24-27 to form acontinuous or uninterrupted floor surface 6 on which workstations and/orother furniture may be positioned. In the X-shaped floor pans 26 shownin FIGS. 29-31, a cover plate 28 is positioned on the the four upperpads 40 of pan pedestals 38. Fasteners 124 are inserted through each ofthe four fastener apertures 113 in base plate 112 and mounted securelyin the underlying pad apertures 41. Cover plates 28 are similarlymounted to floor pans 25-27, wherein cover plates 28 are also connectedto the associated support channels, such as the support channel 57 ofT-shape floor pan 25, the two support channels 74 and 75 of L-shapedfloor pan 26, and the support channel 93 of diagonal floor pan 27.

Cover plates 28 not only serve to form the upper support surface 6 forfloor construction 2, but also enclose the underlying floor space, whichincludes those areas above floor pans 24-27, as well as the remainingopen areas of building floor 3. As a result, raceways 4 and 5 are bothfully enclosed, and are mutually separated, with connector bridges 29serving to permit cross-over between raceways 4 and 5, while maintainingphysical isolation or separation. In the event local regulations specifythat existing building floors can not qualify as an electrical barrier,a sheet of insulating material can be applied over building floor 3prior to assembly of floor construction 2 thereon to improve its utilitydistribution capabilities, particularly with respect to utility raceway5.

The disclosed utility distribution system 1 (FIG. 1) also includesutility posts 9 which interact with floor construction 2 to distributeutilities to the various workstations. With reference to FIGS. 32-38,each of the illustrated utility posts 9 has a channel-like, elongatedpost portion 126, and a foot portion 10 shaped similar to cover plate28, such that a cover plate 28 can be removed from floor pans 24-27, andthe foot portion 10 of a utility post 9 mounted in its place. Utilityposts 9 preferably have a rigid construction for upright mounting onfloor construction 2, and may be provided in a plurality of differentlengths or heights to accommodate a variety of needs and uses. Withreference to FIG. 35, utility post foot 10 has a generally squareoverall plan configuration, similar to that of cover plate 28, and isdefined by side edges 130-133, and upper and lower surfaces 134 and 135respectively. Each of the side edges 130-133 of utility post foot 10 hasan open, notched out area 31-36 located at a generally medial or centralportion thereof. Each of the open foot notches 31-36 is defined by abase edge 137, and opposing side edges 138 oriented in a generallyU-shaped plan configuration. Utility post foot 10 includesperpendicularly oriented fastener apertures 139 extending through eachcorner thereof, identical to the arrangement of fastener apertures 113on cover plate 28.

As best illustrated in FIG. 34, the post portion 126 of utility post 9has a generally X-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration,comprising two parallel pairs of flat, perpendicularly intersectingwalls 142-145. Intersecting walls 142-146 define a plurality ofoutwardly oriented, open-faced channels, which include four generallyU-shaped mounting channels 148-151, and four generally V-shaped utilitychannels 13-16. The four mounting channels 148-151 are oppositelyoriented in an outwardly radiating fashion, as are utility channels13-16, which are positioned inbetween adjacent mounting channels148-151. Mounting channel 148 is defined by wall segments 154-156,mounting channel 149 is defined by wall segments 157-159, mountingchannel 150 is defined by wall segments 160-162, and mounting channel151 is defined by wall segments 163-165. Utility channel 13 is definedby wall segments 154 and 165, utility channel 14 is defined by wallsegments 155 and 157, utility channel 15 is defined by wall segments 159and 160, and utility channel 16 is defined by wall segments 162 and 163.Four triangularly shaped gusset channels 166 interconnect the lowerportion of post portion 126 with foot portion 10, and each includes apair of sidewalls 167 oriented in radiating alignment with the cornerfastener apertures 139 in foot portion 10. As best viewed in FIG. 35,the lower ends of utility channels 13-16 are aligned and communicatewith an associated one of the open areas 31-34 of utility post foot 10,while the open ends of mounting channels 148-151 are aligned with thesidewalls 167 of an associated one of the gusset channels 116 on postfoot 10.

Each of the utility channels 13-16 (FIGS. 36-38) has a generallytriangular transverse cross-sectional configuration, and is adapted toreceive and retain therein one or more utility conduits such as wires,cables, tubes, etc. Mounting channels 148-151 have a generally squaretransverse cross-sectional configuration, and are adapted to receive andretain therein one or more utility outlets 12, such as the illustratedduplex power outlet 168, the illustrated communication junction block169, and other similar devices. Since mounting channels 148-151 are eachgenerally open along their entire length, each utility channel canreceive a plurality of utility outlets therein arranged in a verticallystacked configuration.

With reference to FIGS. 36-38, each of the utility channels 13-16associated with utility post 9 includes a removable cover 170-173 whichselectively encloses the same. In the illustrated example, each of theutility channel covers 170-173 includes a pair of inwardly angled sideflanges 174 which matingly engage the outer free edges of the associatedchannel walls 142-145 to detachably mount the same on utility post 9with a snap lock type of action. The illustrated utility post 9 alsoincludes four, trapezoid shaped foot covers 178, which are positionedover the lower ends of utility channels 13-16. Each foot cover 178 (FIG.36) includes an upper edge 179 extending adjacent the bottom on anassociated one of the channel covers 170-173, a lower edge 180 extendingalong the upper surface 134 of post foot 10, and a pair of side edges181 extending along the free edges of gusset sidewalls 167 to therebyenclose the lower part of each lower post portion 126 which is alignedwith an associated utility channel 13-16. Foot covers 178 are detachablymounted to utility post 9 to permit ready access to the underlyingraceways 4 and 5 in floor construction 2. Utility post 9 also includes atop cap 182 connected with the upper end of post portion 126, andenclosing the upper ends of each of the utility channels 13-16 and themounting channels 148-151.

In operation, utility posts 9 may be assembled on floor construction 2at any desired location in the following fashion. Assuming that coverplates 28 have been preassembled over each of the selected floor pans25-27, the cover plate 28 disposed at that location at which eachutility post 9 is desired must first be removed by simply removingassociated fasteners 124, and detaching the selected cover plate 28 fromits underlying floor pan or pans. A utility post 9 is then selected, andthe foot portion 10 thereof is placed in the space vacated by theremoved cover plate 28, such that foot base plate 112 is supportedabuttingly on the underlying pan, such as in the arrangement shown inFIG. 39. Fasteners 185 are then inserted through the fastener aperture139 in each corner of utility post foot 10, so as to securely mountutility post 9 on floor construction 2. Utility outlets 12 are mountedin the mounting channels 148-151 of utility post 9.

Mounting channels 148-151 are preferably preassigned or designated foruse with certain types of utility outlets 12, so as to physicallyseparate those utilities which might experience some degree of physicaland/or functional interference. For example, the illustrated mountingchannels 148 and 150 are assigned for power outlet devices, such aspower outlet 168, and the opposite mounting channels 151 and 159 areassigned for communication junctions and other signal devices, such assignal block 169. Similarly, utility channels 13-16 are preferablypreassigned or designated for use with certain types of utilities, suchas power lines and signal cables. The illustrated utility channels 14and 16 are assigned for power lines 7, and utility channels 13 and 15assigned for signal cables or conductors 8. In any event, each of thevarious utility outlets 12 desired is mounted in an associated one ofthe mounting channels 148-152, preferably in accordance with thepredesignated configuration noted above.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2, when utility post 9 is mounted on floorconstruction. 2, the utility channels 13-16 are oriented to be inalignment with the underlying utility raceways 4 and 5. Morespecifically, one oppositely oriented pair of the utility channels 13-16will open into utility raceway 4, and the other pair of oppositelyoriented utility channels 13-16 will open into utility raceway 5. In thesystem shown in FIG. 2, utility raceway 4 has been designated forelectrical power conduits 7, and utility raceway 5 has been designatedfor signal conduits 8, which include communication lines, data wires,etc. Hence, utility post 9 has been oriented on the X-shaped floor pan24 to which it is attached with utility channel 16 and U-shaped footopening 33 communicating with a forwardly facing side of power raceway4, and utility channel 14 and U-shaped foot opening 31 communicatingwith a rearwardly facing side of power raceway 4. Furthermore, in thisorientation, utility channel 15 and U-shaped foot opening 32 communicatewith the forwardly facing side of signal raceway 5, and utility channel13 and U-shaped foot opening 34 communicate with a rearwardly facingside of signal raceway 5. Power conduits 7 and signal conduits 8 may befed into floor construction 2 in a variety of different ways, includingthe floor feed arrangement shown in FIG. 39 for power conduit 7, or theside feed arrangement shown in FIG. 2 for power conduits 7 and signalconduits 8.

With reference to FIG. 3, it will be noted that utility post 9 can bemounted at a plurality of locations on floor construction 2, includingmounting on the four pedestals 38 of a single X-shaped floor pan 24,directly above the center portion of its associated base 36, asillustrated utility post 9a, or alternatively between the adjacent legs105 of a T-shaped floor pan 25 and a X-shaped floor pan 24, directlyabove the connector bridge 29, as in illustrated utility post 9b, oralternatively on the four pedestals of four adjacent X-shaped floor pans24, directly above the open building floor 3, as in illustrated utilitypost 9c. In each of these orientations, the utility channels 13-16 ofthe utility post 9 can be communicated with the utility raceways 4 and 5in floor construction 2 to permit routing utilities, such as powerconduits 7 and signal conduits 8 therethrough.

Utility conduits 7 and 8 are then routed from their associated raceways4 and 5 within floor construction to each of the selected utilityoutlets 12 in the following fashion. Selected cover plates 28 are firstremoved from around utility post foot 10, so as to expose the underlyingraceways 4 and 5, and determine what utility conduits 7 and 8 arereadily available. Utility conduits 7 and 8 are then selected and routedinto the selected ones of the utility channels 13-16 by first routingthe same through that one of the open foot areas 31-34 associated withthe selected one of the utility channels 13-16. The utility conduits 7and 8 are simply laid into the selected utility channels 13-16 byinsertion into the open faces 17 thereof to a location adjacent theassociated utility outlet 12 to which it is to be connected. An apertureis formed in the wall of post portion 126 disposed between the utilitychannel and the selected utility outlet, so that the selected utilityconduit can be inserted into the utility outlet and thereby connected.After each such utility outlet 12 is similarly connected with itsassociated utility conduit 7 or 8, channel covers 170-173 are mountedover each utility channel 13-16, and foot covers 178 are mounted at thebase of post portion 126.

With reference to FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the present invention,utility posts 9 are positioned freestanding on floor construction 2adjacent those locations at which the selected utilities are desired.For instance, freestanding utility post 9a is positioned for use with apanel based systems furniture system 190, and may extend up throughand/or adjacent associated worksurfaces 191. Utility post 9 might alsobe positioned between the sides of adjacent partition panels (not shown)to function as a spine with outlets 12 accessible on both sides of thepanel system. Alternatively, the illustrated freestanding utility post9b is used as a bollard for a mobile table system 192.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, utility post 9 maybe physically incorporated into a furniture system. For example, theillustrated utility post 9c is used to support a tabletop 193.Alternatively, the illustrated utility posts 9d are used as supportcolumns in an overhead partitioning system 194, which is the subject ofcommonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 774,563.Utility posts 9 might be used as the vertical uprights in the workspacemodule arrangement which is the subject of commonly assigned, co-pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 819,396. It is to be understood thatutility post 9 may also be used to support a wide variety of other typesof furniture applications, such as supports for partition panels,furniture unit supports, etc.

Utility distribution system 1 is quite versatile, and provides not onlya unique prefabricated floor construction 2 which is adapted tophysically separate different types of utility conduits to avoidinterference, but also a novel utility post 9 which permits thedistribution of utilities from the floor construction 2 at variouslocations throughout the system. Utility distribution system 1 is veryefficient, and quite adaptable to effectively support a wide variety ofdifferent furniture systems and configurations.

In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that modifications may be made to the inventionwithout departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modificationsare to be considered as included in the following claims, unless theseclaims by their language expressly state otherwise.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A utility floorconstruction, comprising:a plurality of irregularly shaped floor pansadapted for abutting support directly on a floor surface in a mutuallyadjacent pattern wherein the coverage of the floor surface isnoncontinuous; each of said floor pans having a generally U-shapedvertical cross-sectional configuration defined by a base and upstandingsidewalls; each floor pan base including a central portion and at leastone leg portion which extends outwardly of said central portion tocollectively define at least a portion of a first raceway in which firstutilities can be routed and an exterior of said floor pan defining atleast a portion of a second raceway in which second utilities can berouted; a plurality of rigid cover plates supported on said floor pansin a mutually adjacent arrangement to define at least a portion of acontinuous floor surface thereover; a plurality of separator bridges,each having a generally U-shaped transverse vertical cross-sectionalconfiguration defined by a central plate and upstanding sidewalls whichdefine at least a portion of said second raceway; each of said floor pancentral portions having at least one of said cover plates positionedover the associated central portion to enclosed the same; each of saidfloor pan leg portions having one of said separator bridges positionedon top of the associated leg portion and extending laterallythereacross, with the sidewalls of said one separator bridge beingdisposed above, and oriented substantially perpendicular to thesidewalls of said associated floor pan leg portion, whereby when saidfloor pans and separator bridges are positioned adjacent one another onthe floor surface the leg portions of adjacent floor pans abutend-to-end so that said first raceway is shielded from the floor surfaceand extends continuously through said floor construction, said adjacentfloor pans define an open floor space therebetween which defines atleast a portion of said second raceway and said separator bridgesphysically separate said second raceway from said first raceway topositively prevent the second utilities from coming into contact withthe first utilities and thereby minimize interference therebetween.
 2. Autility floor construction as set forth in claim 1, wherein:saidseparator bridges are connected to said associated leg portions of saidfloor pans to automatically isolate said first and second raceways.
 3. Autility floor construction as set forth in claim 2, wherein:said floorpan sidewalls associated with said central portions have upper edges;and said cover plates have lower surfaces which generally abut the upperedges of said sidewalls associated with the central portions of saidfloor pans.
 4. A utility floor construction as set forth in claim 3,wherein:said sidewalls of said separator bridges abut the lower surfacesof said cover plates to isolate said second raceway from said firstraceway.
 5. A utility floor construction as set forth in claim 4,wherein:each said separator bridge has a width measured between saidbridge sidewalls that is substantially commensurate with the length ofan associated floor pan leg portion.
 6. A utility floor construction asset forth in claim 5, wherein:said cover plates extend over each of saidfloor pans and each of said separator bridges to enclose both of saidfirst and second raceways.
 7. A utility floor construction as set forthin claim 6, wherein:each of said separator bridges spans between the legportions of two adjacent ones of said floor pans arranged end-to-end,and is connected with said leg portions to physically interconnect saidadjacent ones of said floor pans.
 8. A utility floor construction as setforth in claim 7, wherein:adjacent ones of said floor pans define anopen floor space therebetween, which defines at least a portion of saidsecond raceway; and said sidewalls of said connector bridge associatedwith said adjacent ones of said floor pans open to said open floorspace.
 9. A utility floor construction as set forth in claim 8,wherein:each of said separator bridges has a pair of depending sidewallswhich extend downwardly from said central portion and are positionedopposite said upstanding sidewalls.
 10. A utility floor construction asset forth in claim 9, including:threaded fasteners detachably connectingthe depending sidewalls of said separator bridges to the leg portions ofsaid floor pans.
 11. A utility floor construction as set forth in claim10, wherein:said floor pans include X-shaped floor pans, T-shaped floorpans, and L-shaped floor pans.
 12. A utility floor construction as setforth in claim 11, wherein:each of said X-shaped floor pans includesfour raised pedestals positioned adjacent opposite corners thereof tosupport an associated one of said cover plates thereon.
 13. A utilityfloor construction as set forth in claim 12, wherein:each of saidT-shaped floor pans includes two raised pedestals positioned adjacentopposite corners thereof to support at least a portion of an associatedone of said cover plates thereon.
 14. A utility floor construction asset forth in claim 13, wherein:each of said L-shaped floor pans includesat least one raised pedestal positioned adjacent an interior cornerthereof to support at least a portion of an associated one of said coverplates thereon.
 15. A utility floor construction as set forth in claim1, wherein:said floor pan sidewalls associated with said centralportions have upper edges; and said cover plates have lower surfaceswhich generally abut the upper edges of said sidewalls associated withthe central portions of said floor pans.
 16. A utility floorconstruction as set forth in claim 15, wherein:said sidewalls of saidseparator bridges abut the lower surfaces of said cover plates toisolate said second raceway from said first raceway.
 17. A utility floorconstruction as set forth in claim 1, wherein:each said separator bridgehas a width measured between said bridge sidewalls that is substantiallycommensurate with the length of an associated floor pan leg portion. 18.A utility floor construction as set forth in claim 1, wherein:said coverplates extend over each of said floor pans and each of said separatorbridges to enclose both of said first and second raceways.
 19. A utilityfloor construction as set forth in claim 1, wherein:each of saidseparator bridges spans between the leg portions of two adjacent ones ofsaid floor pans arranged end-to-end, and is connected with said legportions to physically interconnect said adjacent ones of said floorpans.
 20. A utility floor construction as set forth in claim 1,wherein:adjacent ones of said floor pans define an open floor spacetherebetween which defines at least a portion of said second raceway;and said sidewalls of said separator bridge associated with saidadjacent ones of said floor pans open to said open floor space.
 21. In autility floor construction, the improvement of a floor pan and connectorbridge construction, comprising:at least two floor pans adapted forabutting support directly on a floor surface in a mutually adjacentrelationship; each of said floor pans including a central portion and atleast one leg portion which extends outwardly of said central portion toan end edge thereof, and has a generally U-shaped verticalcross-sectional configuration defined by a base and upstanding pansidewalls; said leg portion having a length measured longitudinallyalong said pan sidewalls to said end edge, and a width measuredlaterally between said pan sidewalls; at least one connector bridgehaving a generally U-shaped transverse vertical cross-sectionalconfiguration defined by a central plate with opposite end edges, andupstanding bridge sidewalls; said connector bridge having a widthmeasured between said bridge sidewalls which is substantially greaterthan the length of one of said floor pan leg portions, and a lengthmeasured between said central plate end edges which is at least as greatas the width of one of said floor pan leg portions; said floor pansbeing positioned with the end edges of adjacent leg portions aligned andin abutment, and said connector bridge spanning between and connectedwith said adjacent leg portions, with said bridge sidewalls beingdisposed above, and oriented non-parallel to said pan sidewalls torigidly interconnect said floor pans.
 22. A utility floor constructionas set forth in claim 21, wherein:said bridge sidewalls are orientedsubstantially perpendicular to said pan sidewalls to rigidlyinterconnect said floor pans.
 23. A utility floor construction as setforth in claim 22, wherein:each of said separator bridges has a pair ofdepending bridge sidewalls which extend downwardly from said centralportion and are positioned opposite said upstanding bridge sidewalls.24. A utility floor construction as set forth in claim 23,wherein:threaded fasteners detachably connecting the depending bridgesidewalls of said separator bridges to the leg portions of said floorpans.
 25. A utility floor construction as set forth in claim 24,wherein:said floor pans include X-shaped floor pans, T-shaped floorpans, and L-shaped floor pans.
 26. A utility floor construction as setforth in claim 25, wherein:each of said X-shaped floor pans includesfour raised pedestals positioned adjacent opposite corners thereof. 27.A utility floor construction as set forth in claim 26, wherein:each ofsaid T-shaped floor pans includes two raised pedestals positionedadjacent opposite corners thereof.
 28. A utility floor construction asset forth in claim 27, wherein:each of said L-shaped floor pans includesat least one raised pedestal positioned adjacent an interior cornerthereof.
 29. A utility floor construction as set forth in claim 28,including:a plurality of rigid cover plates supported on the pedestalsof said floor pans in a mutually adjacent arrangement to define at leasta portion of a continuous floor surface thereover.
 30. A utility floorconstruction as set forth in claim 29, wherein:said floor panscollectively define at least a portion of a raceway in which anassociated utility can be routed.
 31. A utility floor construction,comprising:a plurality of floor pans adapted for abutting supportdirectly on a floor surface in a mutually adjacent, lattice-likearrangement, wherein each one of said floor pans has a generallyU-shaped configuration and a base which defines at least a portion of afirst raceway that extends generally continuously throughout said floorconstruction and is adapted to route a first utility therein; aplurality of rigid cover plates supported on said floor pans in amutually adjacent arrangement to generally enclose said first raceway,and define a continuous floor surface thereover; a second racewaydisposed below said floor surface, physically separate from said firstraceway, and adapted to route a second utility therein; and a pluralityof connector bridges extending between adjacent ones of said floor pans,and being attached thereto to physically interconnect the same; saidconnector bridges each including a separator plate positioned a spacedapart distance above the bases of the adjacent floor pans to formthereunder a portion of said first raceway, and a spaced apart distancebelow the overlying cover plates to form a portion of said secondraceway to permit crossing the first and second utilities whilemaintaining physical separation of the same to alleviate interferencetherebetween.
 32. A utility floor construction as set forth in claim 31,wherein:said cover plates extend over each of said floor pans and eachof said separator bridges to enclose both of said first and secondraceways.
 33. A utility floor construction as set forth in claim 32,wherein:each of said connector bridges has a pair of depending sidewallswhich extend downwardly from said separator plate, and are attached tosaid floor pans.
 34. A utility floor construction as set forth in claim33, including:threaded fasteners detachably connecting the dependingsidewalls of said connector bridges to said floor pans.
 35. A utilityfloor construction as set forth in claim 34, wherein:each of saidconnector bridges has a pair of upstanding sidewalls which extendupwardly from said separator plate, and are positioned opposite saiddepending sidewalls.
 36. A utility floor construction as set forth inclaim 35, wherein:said floor pans include X-shaped floor pans.
 37. Autility floor construction as set forth in claim 36, wherein:each ofsaid X-shaped floor pans includes four raised pedestals positionedadjacent opposite corners thereof to support an associated one of saidcover plates thereon.
 38. A utility floor construction as set forth inclaim 37, whereinadjacent ones of said floor pans have an open floorspace therebetween which defines at least a portion of said secondraceways; and said upstanding sidewalls of said connector bridgeassociated with said adjacent ones of said floor pans open to said openfloor space.
 39. A utility floor construction as set forth in claim 38,wherein:said floor pans have sidewalls with upper edges associated withsaid central portions; and said cover plates have lower surfaces whichgenerally abut the upper edges of said sidewalls associated with thecentral portions of said floor pans.
 40. A utility floor construction asset forth in claim 39, wherein:said upstanding sidewalls of saidseparator bridges abut the lower surfaces of said cover plates toisolate said second raceway from said first raceway.
 41. In a utilityfloor construction for open space plans and the like, of the type havinga raised floor surface with first and second utility racewaysthereunder, the improvement comprising:an irregularly shaped floor panadapted for abutting support on a building support surface, and having agenerally U-shaped configuration and a base which defines at least aportion of the first raceway that extends generally continuouslythroughout said floor construction and an exterior which defines on thebuilding support surface at least a portion of the second raceway thatextends generally continuously throughout said floor construction; arigid cover plate supported on said floor pan to generally enclose thefirst raceway, and define at least a portion of the raised floorsurface; and a connector bridge attached to said floor pan, andprojecting therefrom to an adjacent portion of said raised floorconstruction; said connector bridge including a separator platepositioned a spaced apart distance above the base of said floor pan toform thereunder a portion of the first raceway, and a spaced apartdistance below said cover plate to form thereover a portion of thesecond raceway.
 42. A utility floor construction as set forth in claim41, wherein:said cover plate extends over said floor pan and saidseparator bridge to enclose both of said first and second raceways. 43.A utility floor construction as set forth in claim 42, wherein:saidconnector bridge has a pair of depending sidewalls which extenddownwardly from said separator plate, and are attached to said floorpan.
 44. A utility floor construction as set forth in claim 43,including:threaded fasteners detachably connecting the dependingsidewalls of said connector bridge to said floor pan.
 45. A utilityfloor construction as set forth in claim 44, wherein:said connectorbridge has a pair of upstanding sidewalls which extend upwardly fromsaid separator plate, and are positioned opposite said dependingsidewalls.
 46. A utility floor construction as set forth in claim 45,wherein:said floor pan is an X-shaped floor pan.
 47. A utility floorconstruction as set forth in claim 46, wherein:said X-shaped floor panincludes four raised pedestals positioned adjacent opposite cornersthereof to support said cover plate thereon.
 48. A utility floorconstruction as set forth in claim 47, wherein:said floor pan has anopen floor space disposed therealong which defines at least a portion ofsaid second raceway; and said upstanding sidewalls of said connectorbridge open to said open floor space.
 49. A utility floor constructionas set forth in claim 48, wherein:said floor pan has sidewalls withupper edges associated with said central portion; and said cover platehas a lower surface which generally abuts the upper edge of thesidewalls associated with the central portion of said floor pan.
 50. Autility floor construction as set forth in claim 49, wherein:saidupstanding sidewalls of said separator bridge abut the lower surface ofsaid cover plate to isolate said second raceway from said first raceway.51. In a utility floor construction, the improvement of a base module,comprising:at least four X-shaped floor pans adapted for abuttingsupport directly on a floor surface in a mutually adjacent relationship;each of said floor pans including a central portion, and at least fourleg portions which extend outwardly of said central portion and have agenerally U-shaped vertical cross-sectional configuration defined by abase and upstanding pan sidewalls; said floor pans being positioned withends of adjacent leg portions aligned and in abutment to form a portionof a first raceway within said floor pans, and a portion of a secondraceway without said floor pans; at least four connector bridges rigidlyinterconnecting said floor pans; each of said bridges having a generallyU-shaped transverse vertical cross-sectional configuration defined by acentral plate below which a portion of the first raceway is disposed,and upstanding sidewalls between which a portion of the second racewayis disposed; said connector bridges spanning between and connected withsaid adjacent leg portions of said floor pans, with said bridgesidewalls being disposed above, and oriented substantially perpendicularto the associated pan sidewalls to rigidly interconnect said floor pans,and separate the first and second raceways.
 52. A utility floorconstruction as set forth in claim 51, wherein:each of said connectorbridges has a pair of depending sidewalls which extend downwardly fromsaid separator plate opposite said upstanding sidewalls, and areattached to said floor pans.
 53. A utility floor construction as setforth in claim 52, including:threaded fasteners detachably connectingthe depending sidewalls of said connector bridges to said floor pans.54. A utility floor construction as set forth in claim 53, including:aplurality of rigid cover plates supported on said floor pans in amutually adjacent arrangement.
 55. A utility floor construction as setforth in claim 54, wherein:said cover plates extend over each of saidfloor pans and each of said separator bridges to enclose both of saidfirst and second raceways.
 56. A utility floor construction as set forthin claim 55, wherein:each of said X-shaped floor pans includes fourraised pedestals positioned adjacent opposite corners thereof to supportan associated one of said cover plates thereon.
 57. A utility floorconstruction as set forth in claim 56, wherein:adjacent ones of saidfloor pans have an open floor space therebetween which defines at leasta portion of said second raceway; and said upstanding sidewalls of saidconnector bridge associated with said adjacent ones of said floor pansopen to said open floor space.
 58. A utility floor construction as setforth in claim 57, wherein:said floor pans sidewalls associated withsaid central portions have upper edges; and said cover plates have lowersurfaces which generally abut the upper edges of said sidewallsassociated with the central portions of said floor pans.
 59. A utilityfloor construction as set forth in claim 58, wherein:said upstandingsidewalls of said separator bridges abut the lower surfaces of saidcover plates to isolate said second raceway from said first raceway. 60.A utility floor construction as set forth in claim 59, wherein:saidfloor pans and connector bridges are arranged to assume a checkerboardplan configuration.
 61. A utility floor construction, comprising:aplurality of floor pans adapted for abutting support directly on a floorsurface in a mutually adjacent pattern; each of said floor pans having agenerally U-shaped vertical cross-sectional configuration defined by abase and upstanding sidewalls; each floor pan base including a centralportion and at least one leg portion which extends outwardly of saidcentral portion to collectively define at least a portion of a firstraceway in which first utilities can be routed; a plurality of rigidcover plates supported on said floor pans in a mutually adjacentarrangement to define at least a portion of a continuous floor surfacethereover; a plurality of separator bridges, each having a generallyU-shaped transverse vertical cross-sectional configuration defined by acentral plate and upstanding sidewalls which define at least a portionof a second raceway in which second utilities can be routed; each ofsaid floor pan central portions having at least one of said cover platespositioned over the associated central portion to enclosed the same;each of said floor pan leg portions having one of said separator bridgespositioned on top of the associated leg portion and extending laterallythereacross, with the sidewalls of said one separator bridge beingdisposed above, and oriented substantially perpendicular to thesidewalls of said associated floor pan leg portion, whereby when saidfloor pans and separator bridges are positioned adjacent one another onthe floor surface the leg portions of adjacent floor pans abutend-to-end so that said first raceway is shielded from the floor surfaceand extends continuously through said floor construction, each of saidseparator bridges spans between the leg portions of two adjacent ones ofsaid floor pans arranged end-to-end, and is connected with said legportions to physically interconnect said adjacent ones of said floorpans, and said separator bridges physically separate said second racewayfrom said first raceway to positively prevent the second utilities fromcoming into contact with the first utilities and thereby minimizeinterference therebetween.
 62. A utility floor construction as set forthin claim 61, wherein:adjacent ones of said floor pans define an openfloor space therebetween, which defines at least a portion of saidsecond raceway; and said sidewalls of said connector bridge associatedwith said adjacent ones of said floor pans open to said open floorspace.
 63. A utility floor construction as set forth in claim 62,wherein:each of said separator bridges has a pair of depending sidewallswhich extend downwardly from said central portion and are positionedopposite said upstanding sidewalls.
 64. A utility floor construction asset forth in claim 63, including:threaded fasteners detachablyconnecting the depending sidewalls of said separator bridges to the legportions of said floor pans.
 65. A utility floor construction as setforth in claim 64, wherein:said floor pans include X-shaped floor pans,T-shaped floor pans, and L-shaped floor pans.
 66. A utility floorconstruction as set forth in claim 65, wherein:each of said X-shapedfloor pans includes four raised pedestals positioned adjacent oppositecorners thereof to support an associated one of said cover platesthereon.
 67. A utility floor construction as set forth in claim 66,wherein:each of said T-shaped floor pans includes two raised pedestalspositioned adjacent opposite corners thereof to support at least aportion of an associated one of said cover plates thereon.
 68. A utilityfloor construction as set forth in claim 67, wherein:each of saidL-shaped floor pans includes at least one raised pedestal positionedadjacent an interior corner thereof to support at least a portion of anassociated one off said cover plates thereon.